Nick Zito revealed another promising three-year-old colt yesterday afternoon at Gulfstream Park, sending out slight favorite Eton Blue to win a one-mile maiden special weight by a half-length.
Ridden to victory by Joe Bravo, Eton Blue was content to settle into third place early on while Hard to Handle and Subsonic led the way through quick fractions of :23.42, :46.48, and 1:11.47 seconds.
Entering the homestretch Hard to Handle scooted away from his pursuers and led by two lengths at the eighth pole, apparently on his way to victory. But he began to weaken late in the race, allowing Eton Blue to rally by for victory. The final time was 1:38.24 seconds.
Dyker Beach matched strides with Eton Blue throughout the homestretch, but couldn't quite get past the winner and had to settle for second. Air Squadron was another half-length back in third, but might have won the race if not forced to steady off heels late in the race.
Hard to Handle, Scipio, Free Range Man, Rakete, Subsonic, Pontiff, and Charming Charlie completed the order of finish. Free Range Man, a 49-1 shot, was beaten nearly nine lengths in the end, but made an eye-catching run around the turn and was finishing well in the homestretch. He may merit watching in the future.
Eton Blue is owned and was bred by Marylou Whitney. He is a son of Giant's Causeway out of Bird Town, by Cape Town.
-Keelerman
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